NBA Draft 2018: 5 potential second round steals

2. Kevin Hervey (UT-Arlington)

Kevin Hervey is far from a household name among the players listed, but after taking home Sun Belt Player of the Year honors as a junior Hervey’s name has been on NBA radars. Hervey measures in at 6-foot-9 with an astounding 7-foot-3 and a half wingspan. Hervey checks all the boxes that NBA teams are looking for out of their wings and forwards. His combination of skill and size certainly makes him a prospect that teams will target in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Hervey’s best attribute is his offensive versatility. Hervey was the offense for UT-Arlington in his senior season. Hervey averaged 20.5 points per game along with 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Hervey was a respectable outside shooter, converting on 33.9 percent of his 6.9 3-point attempts per game in his final college season. Given the right players around him, Hervey can hone in on a specific role off the bench and produce immediately.

While no team is likely to undertake a Sam Hinkie-style “process” rebuild, a player that Hinkie unearthed in Philadelphia is a good comparison for Hervey — Robert Covington. Covington left East Tennessee State as the offensive hub and initiator. Both often played most of their time strictly as power forwards in college, but Covington has found his success in the NBA playing more as a perimeter-oriented player. Hervey has to prove that he has the agility and foot speed to make the transition that Covington did with the Sixers.

Hervey’s performance in the 5-on-5 scrimmages at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine helped ease any concerns about him facing lesser competition coming from a mid-major school. Hervey made the most of playing as a small ball 4 and was not shy about letting shots fly from deep whenever he thought he had the space to get off a good look.

If you haven’t had a chance to see Hervey play, use the time in the lead up to this June’s draft to “Do your googles”. It won’t be time wasted, I guarantee it.